Benton Weekly Update

Welcome back to school; I hope everyone had an enjoyable Winter Break. Tuesday, January 7th is the first day of the 2nd semester. All students have an opportunity for a fresh start to learn and be successful. Report cards will be mailed home by the end of this week and information about our Semester 1 Awards Ceremony will be posted in next week's newsletter.

Do you have Electronic Waste at home? I know I have a few obsolete laptops, and old TV, and a broken Wii console. If you have E-Waste at home, bring it to our E-Waste Recycling event this upcoming Saturday.

I'm excited to announce that Benton will be installing a solar panel array on campus. We expect construction to begin in February. In the spirit of Good News and Bad News, that's the good news! The bad news is that most of the parking lot will be fenced off during construction. Parents will NOT be able to enter the parking lot at all to pick up or drop off your student(s). Please start now locating a new spot to pick up or drop off your student; many parents have their students walk down to Oxford or Ocaso and pick up their students there. By making a plan now, you can avoid frustration and confusion in February when the parking lot will be blocked off to parents. Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions.

Now some good news: if you would like to view the student production of A Christmas Carol, you can view it at this link below:

Open Enrollment is during the months of December and January. If you have a student entering 6th Grade or 9th Grade and wish to attend a school that is not your school of residence, you will need to complete an Open Enrollment Application online. Returning 7th & 8th Graders do not need to reapply for a permit. At Benton, we appreciate the opportunity to share our unique programs with prospective families and students. Please spread the word if you have friends looking for a great middle school for next year and feel free to forward our Choose Benton flyer linked below.

Make it a great week!

We had a record 59 students audition for the Benton spring musical of Matilda. Ms. Nitschke, our Theatre Director, along with our Music Director, Ms. Lin and our Choreographer, Ms. Tiffany congratulate everyone for being cast in the show. Break a leg!

Boys' BB: Tryouts for ALL grade levels Wed. 2:00-4:00

Girls' BB Practice: Wed. 2:00-4:00 & Friday 3:00-3:30

Boys' Soccer Practice: Tuesday 3:00-4:30 & Wed. 2:00-4:00.

Girls' Soccer Practice: Thursday 3:00-4:30.

The NLM Middle Schools Basketball & Soccer Tournament will be at Benton on Wednesday, 2/12. Although parents are welcome to attend the tournament, please keep in mind that the Benton parking lot will be closed due to construction, any spectators will need to find street parking and enter campus through the side gate to the left of the MPR.

Students will attend periods 1A – 4A on Wednesday. This Wednesday, like all Wednesdays, we have early dismissal at 1:45pm.

More information coming soon, but mark your calendars for a Dine Out Fundraiser at the Corner Bakery on Imperial Hwy at Idaho. There will be games, raffles, door prizes so save the date!

Do you need to make up an absence or get caught up on school work? Be sure to attend Saturday School on 1/25 from 8:00am-12:15pm. Permission Slips are available in the office and linked below.

Join us at Barnes & Noble in Fullerton from 5pm-7:30 as students showcase their talents.

8th Grade Students and Families, we have a newsletter curated just for you! The 8th Grade newsletter contains information specific to you, 8th Grade Students and Families, to help you make the most of 8th Grade, and to plan for the end of the year. Click here to read the 8th Grade Newsletter.

Parents, please help us by checking your student's outfit before they leave for school. If students are out of dress code, the students may be asked to change into P.E. clothes or a loaner shirt or shorts.

As you can see below, we have A Days and B Days. Students have periods 1A-4A on A Days, every Monday and Thursday, and periods 5B-8B on B Days, every Tuesday and Friday. On Wednesdays, we alternate between A Days and B Days.

Benton Middle School is a Visual & Performing Arts Magnet school. Follow us on Instagram @Bentonwolverines.

Email: rridgeway@nlmusd.org
Website: benton.nlmusd.org
Location: 15709 E. Olive Branch Drive, La Mirada, CA 90638
Phone: (562) 210-2500
Facebook: facebook.com/bentonmiddleschool

Instagram: @BentonWolverines